Limmu List (Middle Bronze Age)

Limmu List: list of Assyrian officials who gave their names to a given year. Two parts survive, one dealing with the reigns of Erišum I until Išme-Dagan I (twentieth until eighteenth century BCE) and one dealing with the years 858-699 BCE.

Kanesh, the palace of king Waršama

The Limmu List or Assyrian Eponym List was a list Assyrian officials (the limmus, or eponymous magistrates) whose names were given to the years. This list was the foundation of the chronology of ancient Assyria, and still is an important tool to reconstruct ancient Mesopotamian chronology. Two parts remain, one dealing with the first quarter of the second millennium (the Middle Bronze Age) and one dealing with years 858-699 BCE (the Iron Age).

On this page, you will find the oldest of the two fragments, which has been published as text #9 in Jean-Jacques Glassner's Chroniques Mésopotamiennes (1993). (The other, younger surviving Eponym List can be found here.) New finds in Kültepe (ancient Kanesh) have made it possible to expand this list, now called the Revised Eponym List. Absolute dates are now within reach.

  1. In the first column, you will find a relative date (REL: Revised Eponym List).
  2. In the second column, you will find the regnal years of several Assyrian kings; colors indicate their reigns. (E = Erišum; I = Ikunum; ŠK = Šarru-ken, PA = Puzur-Aššur II; NS = Naram-Sin; ŠA = Šamši-Adad I; ID = Išme-Dagan I.)
  3. The third column contains the name of the official and (in the second part of this table) the events that were recorded. This list is based on G. Barjamovic, Th. Hertel, and M.T. Larsen in Ups and Downs at Kanesh. Chronology, History, and Society in the Old Assyrian Period (2012).
  4. The final column offers proposed absolute dates, based on S.W. Manning e.a., “Integrated Tree- Ring-Radiocarbon High-Resolution Timeframe to Resolve Earlier Second Millennium BCE Mesopotamian Chronology” (published on 13 July 2016 in PLoS One).

The absolute dates are based on the trading post at Kültepe, which was destroyed after REL 138 and REL 141, which must be more or less contemporary with the construction of the nearby palace of king Waršama. This is confirmed by the solar eclipse in REL 127, which must be the one of 24 March 1838 BCE.

   

Part 1: Reconstructed list

 
REL     BCE
1 E 1 Šu-Išstar son of Abila 1964
2   Šukkutum son of Išuhum 1963
3   Iddin-ilum son of Kurub-Ištar 1962
4   Šu-Anum son of Isalaya 1961
5   Inah-ili son of Kiki 1960
6   Suetaya son of Ir'ibum 1959
7   Daya son of Išuhum 1958
8   Ili-elliti 1957
9   Šamaš-tab 1956
10 E 10 Agusa 1955
11   Idnaya son of Šudaya 1954
12   Quqadum son of Buzu 1953
13   Puzur-Ištar son of Bedaki 1952
14   La-qepum son of Babidi 1951
15   Šu-Laban son of Kurub-Ištar 1950
16   Šu-Belum son of Išuhum 1949
17   Nabi-Sin son of Šu-Ištar 1948
18   Hadaya son of Elali 1947
19   Ennam-Aššur son of Begaya 1946
20 E 20 Ikunum son of Šudaya 1945
21   Ismid-ilum son of Idida 1944
22   Buzutaya son of Išuhum 1943
23   Šu-Išstar son of Ammaya 1942
24   Iddin-Aššur 1941
25   Puzur-Aššur 1940
26   Quqadum son of Buzu 1939
27   Ibni-Adad son of Susaya 1938
28   Erišum son of Adad-rabi 1937
29   Minanum son of Begaya 1936
30 E 30 Iddin-Sin son of Šalim-ahum 1935
31   Puzur-Aššur son of Idnaya 1934
32   Šuli son of Uphakum 1933
33   La-qepum son of Zukua 1932
34   Puzur-Ištar son of Erisua 1931
35   Agua son of Adad-rabi 1930
36   Šu-Sin son of Silliya 1929
37   Ennam-Aššur son of Begaya 1928
38   Enna-Sin son of Pussanum 1927
39   Ennamum son of Uphakum 1926
40 E 40 Buzu son of Adad-rabi 1925
41 IK 1 Šuli son of Šalim-ahum 1924
42   Iddin-Sin brother of Šuli 1923
43   Ikunum son of Šudaya 1922
44   Dan-Wer 1921
45   Šu-Anum 1920
46   Ili-massu son of Aššur-tab 1919
47   Šu-Hubur son of Šuli 1918
48   Idia/Idua son of Sulili 1917
49   La-qepum son of Puzur-Laba 1916
50 IK 10 Šu-anum 1915
51   Uku son of Bela 1914
52   Aššur-malik son of Panaka 1913
53   Dan-Aššur son of Puzur-Wer 1912
54   Šu-Kubum son of Ahuahi 1911
55 IK 15 Erišum son of Iddin-Aššur 1910
56 ŠK 1 Aššur-malik son of Agatum 1909
57   Aššur-malik son of Ennaniya 1908
58   Ibisua son of Sin-nada 1907
59   Baziya son of Bal-Tutu 1906
60   Puzur-Ištar son of Sabasiya 1905
61   Pišah-ili son of Adin 1904
62   Asqudum son of La-qepum 1903
63   Ili-pilah son of Damqum 1902
64   Qulali 1901
65 ŠK 10 Susaya 1900
66   Amaya 1899
67   Iphurum son of Ili-ellat 1898
68   Kudanum son of La-qepum 1897
69   Ili-bani son of Ikunum 1896
70   Šu-Kubum son of Susaya 1895
71   Quqidi son of Amur-Aššur 1894
72   Abiya son of Nur-Sin 1893
73   Šu-Ištar son of Šukkutum 1892
74   Baziya son of Šep-Alim 1891
75 ŠK 20 Šu-Ištar son of Ikunum 1890
76   Abiya son of Šu-Dagan 1889
77   Salliya son of Šabakura 1888
78   Ibni-Adad son of Baqqunum 1887
79   Aham-arši son of Malkum-išar 1886
80   Sukkaliya son of Minamun 1885
81   Iddin-Aššur son of Kubidi 1884
82   Šudaya son of Ennamun 1883
83   Al-tab son of Pilah-Aššur 1882
84   Aššur-damiq son of Abarsisum 1881
85 ŠK 30 Puzur-Nirah son of Puzur-Sin 1880
86   Amur-Aššur son of Karriya 1879
87   Buzuzu son of Ibbi-Sin 1878
88   Šu-Hubur son of Elali 1877
89   Ilišu-rabi son of Baziya 1876
90   Ali-ahum son of Inah-ali 1875
91   Tab-Aššur son of Šuharum 1874
92   Elali son of Ikunum 1873
93   Iddin-abum son of Narbitum 1872
94   Adad-bani son of Iddin-Aššur 1871
95 ŠK 40 Aššur-iddin son of Šuli 1870
96 PA 1 Aššur-nada son of Puzzur-Anna 1869
97   Kubiya son of Karriya 1868
98   Ili-dan son of Elali 1867
99   Silulu son of Uku 1866
100   Aššur-nada son of Ili-binanni 1865
101   Ikun-pi-Ištar son of Ikua 1864
102   Buzutay son of Šuli 1863
103 PA 8 Innaya son of Amuraya 1862
   

Part 2: CM 9

 
    From the beginning of the reign of Naram-Sin ... from the eponomy of ...  
104 NS 1 Šu-Sin. 1861
105   Aššur-malik. 1860
106   Aššur-imitti. 1859
107   Enna-Sin. 1858
108   In the eponymy of Akutum, ... took ... Masiam-ili. 1857
109   Mas-ili son of Erišum 1856
110   Iddin-ahum. 1855
111   In the eponymy of Samaya, Aminum took Šaduppum. 1854
112   In the eponymy of Ili-alum, Sin-abum took the land of Sit. 1853
113 NS 10 In the eponymy of Ennam-Anum, ... 1852
114   In the eponymy of Ennam-Aššur, Ipiq-Adad entered the house of his father. 1851
115   In the eponymy of Enna-Sin, ... 1850
116   In the eponymy of Hanna-Narum, Aminum defeated Ipiq-Adad, 1849
117   In the eponymy of Dadiya, ... 1848
118   In the eponymy of Kapatiya, Ipiq-Adad defeated Aminum. 1847
119   In the eponymy of Išme-Aššur, Ipiq-Adad took Ziqquratum. 1846
120   In the eponymy of Aššur-muttabbil, Ipiq-Adad ... 1845
121   In the eponymy of Šu-Nirah, ... 1844
122   In the eponymy of Iddin-abum, Sin-abum ... 1843
123 NS 20 In the eponymy of Ili-dan, ... 1842
124   Aššur-imitti. 1841
125   Buziya. 1840
126   In the eponymy of Dadiya, king Šamši-Adad was born. 1839
127   In the eponymy of Puzur-Ištar, a solar eclipse happened; death of Aminum.note 1838
128   Isaya 1837
129   Abu-Šalim 1836
130   Aššur-re'is 1835
131   Tab-Aššur 1834
132   Šu-Rama 1833
133 NS 30 Sin-Išmeanni 1832
134   Aššur-malik. 1831
135   In the eponymy of Dan-Ea, taking of Hupšum. 1830
136   In the eponymy of Enna-Sin, flood in a remote land 1829
137 NS 34 Aššur-balati. 1828
138   Enna-Aššur. 1827
139   Itur-Aššur. 1826
140   In the eponymy of Šu-bêlum, Ila-kabkabu took Suprum. 1825
141   In the eponymy of Šarrum-Adad, the man of Elam defeated Ipiq-Adad, and king Šamši-Adad entered the house of his father. 1824
142   Šu-Laban. 1823
143   In the eponymy of Aššur-imitti, the Lullu defeated the king in Lazapatum. 1822
144   In the eponymy of Dadaya, Mut-abbih ... 1821
145   In the eponymy of Dadaya, ditto, Ipiq-Adad took Arrapha. 1820
146   In the eponymy of Ah-šalim, the taking of Gasur. 1819
147   Usur-ša-Ištar, 1818
148   In the eponymy of Kataya, ... 1817
149   In the eponymy of Šu-Sin, ... 1816
150   In the eponymy of Abu-šalim, the taking of Sin-abušu of Nerebtum. 1815
151   In the eponymy of Šudaya, ... 1814
152   In the eponymy of Šu-Dadum, the taking of Ne... 1813
153   In the eponymy of Aššur-tukulti, Šamši-Adad defeated the man of Unnini, and Mut-Ia... defeated. 1812
154   In the eponymy of Puzur-Ištar, Šamši-Adad ... 1811
155   In the eponymy of Atanah, Ipiq-Adad defeated ... and took the land of ... 1810
156   In the eponymy of Erišum, Šamši-Adad defeated ... in Dur-... 1809
157   Aššur-ennam. 1808
158   In the eponymy of Inib-Ištar, Ipiq-Adad died. 1807
159   Aššur-Bêl-malkim. 1806
160   Belanum 1805
161   Sukkallum 1804
162   Amur-Aššur 1803
163   Aššur-nišu 1802
164   Munawwirum 1801
165 ŠA 1 Idnayanote 1800
166   Dadaya 1799
167   Puzur-Nirah 1798
168   Abiya 1797
169   Edinum 1796
170   Aššur-taklaku 1795
171   Išim-Sin 1794
172   Adad-bani 1793
173   Abi-šagiš 1792
174 ŠA 10 Tab-silli-Aššur 1791
175   Iddin-Aššur 1790
176   Namiya 1789
177   Ahu-Šarri 1788
178   Dadaya 1787
179   Ennam-Aššur 1786
180   In the eponymy of Atanum, Šamši-Adad defeated twelve kings; Iahdun-Lim, king of Mari, ... these kings returned ... 1785
181   In the eponymy of Aššur-taklaku, Šamši-Adad defeated ... 1784
182   In the eponymy of Haya-malik, [Šamši-Adad captured Mari]. 1783
183   Šalim-Aššur 1782
184 ŠA 20 In the eponymy of Sin-muballit, Šamši-Adad took the land of ... 1781
185   In the eponymy of Reš-Šamaš, Išme-Dagan defeated ... 1780
186   In the eponymy of Ibni-Adad, Šamši-Adad took the land of ... 1779
187   In the eponymy of Aššur-imitti, Šamši-Adad defeated ... and took it. Daduša took the land of ..., the land of Me-Turan, the land of ... 1778
188   In the eponymy of Ili-ellati, ... 1777
189   In the eponymy of Rigmanum, Muna... 1776
190   In the eponymy of Ikun-piya, Muna... defeated ... and Šamši-Adad ... Me-Turan ... for Dadusa ... 1775
191   In the eponymy of Asqudum, Šamši-Adad took Qabra. 1774
192   In the eponymy of Aššur-malik, Išme-Dagan defeated Ahazum and Šamši-Adad captured Nurrugum and captured these nine kings: Kibrum, king of [...; ..., king of ...; ..., king of ...]; Yašub-Adad, king of Ahazum; [..., king of ...; ..., king of ...]; Yašub-Lim, king of [...; ..., king of ..., ..., king of ...]; he gave them as booty to Daduša. 1773
193   In the eponymy of Ahiyaya, the Turukkeans opened hostilities. Šamši-Adad and Išme-Dagan defeated the Turukkeans and the ... in Burullan; Yasmah-Adad defeated the Yaminites and unified the banks of the Euphrates. 1772
194 ŠA 30 In the eponymy of Awilaya, Mutu-Bisir ... defeated ... at the gate of Saggaratum. 1771
    Total ... years,note until the victory of the gate of Saggaratum. Hand of Habdu-malik. Limi-Dagan the man who dictated.  
   

Part 3: Reconstructed list

 
195   Nimar-Sin 1770
196   Adad-banu 1769
197 ŠA 33 Tab-silli-Aššurnote 1768
198 ID 1 Ennam-Aššur 1767
199   Aššur-emuqi 1766
200   Abu-Šalim 1765
201   Pussanum 1764
202   Ikun-pi-Ištar 1763
203   Ahiyaya 1762
204   Beliya 1761
205   Ili-bani 1760
206   Aššur-taklaku 1759
207 ID 10 Sassapum 1758
208   Ahu-waqar 1757
209   Kizurum 1756
210   Dadiya 1755
211   I-a-am-a-ha-a (?) 1754
212   Adad-bani 1753
213   Ennam-Aššur 1752
214   Attaya 1751
215   Aya 1750
216   Azubiya 1749
217 ID 20 Kurkudanum 1748
218   Sabrum 1747
219   Hadiu 1746
220   Dadiya 1745
221   Aya 1744
222   Zizaya 1743
223   Adad-bani 1742
224   Habil-kenum 1741
225   Amur-Ištar 1740
226   Ipiq-Ištar 1739
227 ID 30 Possible candidates: Ahiyaya son of Adunaya, Aššur-kašid son of Silli-ahum, Aššur-nišu son of Ili-elliti, Enna-Sin son of Aššur-tab, Išme-ilum son of Aššur-emuqi, Šu-beli, Tutaya son of Usur-piya, Warad-sin, and Zaya son of Beliya






 
1738
228   1737
229   1736
230   1735
231   1734
232   1733
233   1732
234   1731
235   1730
236   Puzur-... 1729
237 ID 40 Šumi-ilabrat 1728
238   Qišti-ili 1727
239   Pilah-Sin 1726
240   Nimar-Kubi 1725
241   Aššur-taklaku 1724
242   Buzua 1723
243   Usur-ša-Aššur 1722
244   A-hi-a-tal (?) 1721
245   Puhanum 1720
246   Hahiya 1719
247   Dadiya 1718
248   Išme-kittum 1717
249   Aššur-muttabbil 1716
250   Asirum 1715
251   Ennaya 1714
252   Ištar-tulid 1713
253   Edinum 1712
254   A-da-ri-A-šur (?) 1711
255   Anaku-ana-Aššur 1710